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Objective of the project

Biological farming is a holistic approach to soil, crop and pasture management that accounts for the agronomic, environmental, nutritional, physical, chemical and biological components of what constitutes a healthy soil. It combines the best practices of conventional and organic farming with an emphasis on developing productive soils that display high levels of biological activity. The principles of biological farming are increasingly being adopted in many countries worldwide as evidence grows that its practices can lead to the production of nutrient-dense food, feed and forages in addition to minimising plant diseases with minimal or no herbicide and pesticide usage. The unsustainable nature of conventional high output tillage and pasture production systems currently in operation in Ireland has led to a greater interest in, and openness to more sustainable farming practices, such as biological farming.

The Danú Farming Group (DANÚ FG) project aims to educate farmers on how to implement the principles and practices of biological farming by developing programme systems for transitioning from conventional to biological farming. The focus of this project is for DANÚ FG to learn and implement the basic principles of biological farming.

Develop guidelines for successful transitions to biological farming based on a sound understanding of soil structure, chemistry, biology and plant nutrition;

Develop and maintain high levels of the biological functioning of soils to facilitate nutrient-dense food, feed and forage production, an increase in soil organic matter and the carbon sequestration potential.

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Main outcomes and recommendations of the project

Farmers are expected to learn and implement the basic principles of biological farming. Transition programmes will be developed that can be adopted by any interested farmer.

The financial cost and benefits of transitioning to biological farming programmes will be assessed.

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Innovation scale and stage

DANÚ FG consists of 16 individuals who have come together as a group to review their current farming systems, identify weaknesses in their existing soil, crop and pasture management systems and subsequently implement a transition programme to biological farming systems.

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